Economy & Business

The US must lead with allies or risk becoming a bystander in a reshaped international financial system. As the global economy struggles to recover from COVID-19 and rising powers like China assert economic influence, this mission is critical to the long-term prosperity of the United States and its allies. Strong collaboration between the public and private sectors can help revitalize open markets for the twenty-first century.

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Programs

At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

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Featured Analysis

CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

New Atlanticist Aug 11, 2025

The US-EU trade agreement is not set in stone. This presents pitfalls and opportunities.

By Charles Lichfield

The trade and tariff deal recently struck in Scotland has several important elements that are yet to be determined.
Economy & Business European Union
CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

New Atlanticist Aug 4, 2025

Trump’s review of US membership in the IMF offers a rare chance for reform

By Martin Mühleisen

The institution needs its major shareholders aligned to tackle new challenges, and it deserves a management team qualified to lead it on this new path.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

New Atlanticist Aug 1, 2025

How Donald Trump remade global trade

By Josh Lipsky

The US president has smashed the system, but the speed and scale of the smashing owes to a system that had been growing increasingly brittle for years. 
Economy & Business Macroeconomics
CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

Econographics Jul 31, 2025

Beijing extends and pretends to deal with its mountain of local government debt

By Jeremy Mark

Beijing’s three-year local debt restructuring plan fails to actually address the trillions of dollars weighing on local governments and will only cause greater problems down the road.
China Economy & Business
CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

Econographics Aug 22, 2025

Trump’s challenges to the Fed’s independence loom over Jackson Hole Symposium

By Alisha Chhangani

As Trump tests the limits of what he can do, the credibility of the Fed—and by extension, global financial stability—is increasingly at risk.
Economy & Business Macroeconomics
CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

New Atlanticist Jul 17, 2025

What Ancient Greece can teach the United States about defending against cyber attacks

By Carole House

Applying lessons from the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC to present-day cyber warfare is surprisingly instructive.
Cybersecurity Iran

In-Depth Research

CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

Issue Brief Jun 6, 2025

How Japanese economic statecraft has shifted from promotion to protection

By Charles Lichfield

Japan is in a geopolitically challenging neighborhood and is witnessing the basic tenets of its foreign policy—from alignment with the United States to fostering a rules-based environment—come under unprecedented stress.
East Asia Economy & Business
CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

Issue Brief Apr 28, 2025

Modernizing the tools of economic statecraft to meet the challenges of today

By Lesley Chavkin, Eitan Danon, Kimberly Donovan, Andrew Gallucci, and Caroline Hill

As the current administration revisits the functions and mechanics of government, near-term steps can be taken, under existing statutory authorities, to modernize how the United States uses its economic strength to combat national security threats and promote American interests.
Economy & Business Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade
CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

Issue Brief Mar 3, 2025

Financing the future: Unlocking private capital for global infrastructure and climate goals

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou, Nisha Narayanan, Hung Tran

MDBs and international financial institutions alone cannot bridge the climate and development financing gaps.
Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Read the latest from the GeoEconomics Center

Econographics

Mar 20, 2026

In the Iran crisis, the IMF’s voice is urgently needed

By Martin Mühleisen

As the Iran crisis chokes the Strait of Hormuz and rattles global energy markets, the IMF has offered little more than cautious statements. The institution must develop real-time, scenario-driven analysis.

Economy & Business Iran
Man-standing-next-to-airplane-on-carrier

Podcast

Mar 18, 2026

Does the Iran war signal the end of economic statecraft?

By the GeoEconomics Center

From tariffs to sanctions, the Trump administration relied heavily on the geoeconomic toolkit in 2025. With the war in Iran and capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, has President Donald Trump lost his patience with these tools?

Economy & Business Iran

Econographics

Mar 18, 2026

The Iran oil shock may be different from other price spikes

By Josh Lipsky, Bart Piasecki, Jessie Yin

Over half of global crude oil and gas production originate from countries openly engaged in major conflicts. We haven't seen such a concentration of output affected by conflicts since World War II.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics
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Content

In the News

May 13, 2024

CBDC Tracker cited by Banking Risk & Regulation on central bank digital currency development

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

In the News

May 9, 2024

Braw in CBC on Russia’s shadow fleet

By Elisabeth Braw

On May 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was quoted in CBC on the Russian shadow fleet and its effect in circumventing the sanctions.   

Europe & Eurasia Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Transcript

May 8, 2024

Full transcript: The 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards recognize skillful leaders navigating a world of crises

The Atlantic Council honored government, military, and artistic leaders who are bolstering security and advocating for the most vulnerable globally.

Central Europe Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

May 8, 2024

The 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards: Celebrating leaders with insight, experience, and resolve

By Katherine Golden

On May 8, the Atlantic Council honored Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, General Christopher G. Cavoli, and actress and producer Michelle Yeoh for their leadership.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 8, 2024

Kumar interviewed on Penta podcast on geopolitics of digital currencies

Listen to the full interview here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Econographics

May 8, 2024

‘Creative solutions’ with Russia’s immobilized assets must rise to the challenge Ukraine now faces

By Oleg Dunda

$280 billion of Russian reserves can be used more strategically–without crossing red lines–to get funding to Ukraine.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion International Financial Institutions

In the News

May 7, 2024

Fontenrose joins Bloomberg Radio to discuss Iran sanctions

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2024

Panama has a new president. José Raúl Mulino should focus on these three priorities.

By Felipe Félix Méndez

By implementing these changes, the Mulino administration will be able to place Panama on a path of inclusive and sustainable development.

Economy & Business Elections

Econographics

May 7, 2024

The Enrico Letta Report and the state of the EU’s Capital Market Union

By Hung Tran

The Letta report emphasizes transforming the EU's fragmented markets by prioritizing harmonization over new financial products, but achieving this requires a significant and sustained effort.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2024

Colombia’s president must focus on economic stewardship in the second half of his term

By Enrique Millán-Mejía, Geoff Ramsey

President Gustavo Petro should adopt a steadier hand on domestic issues and a more cooperative stance toward international private sector investment.

Colombia Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Fellow

Hanaa Almoaibed

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Wa’el Alzayat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Alen Amini

Management Consultant, Boston Consulting Group

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Mark Boris Andrijanič

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business
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Events

Public Event Mon, March 23, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Kurt Campbell on what to expect from Trump’s Beijing visit
China Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy Technology & Innovation
Online Event Mon, March 23, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

Transatlantic relations in an era of upheaval
Digital Policy Economy & Business Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
Online Event Fri, March 27, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East
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